in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Dhamma Torana (Auspicious Gateway of Dhamma) is aptly named. The nearest major city, Toronto has been recognized by the United Nations as the most diverse city in the world, with more cultures and religions represented there than anywhere else. The centre has over 140 acres of beautiful woods, open spaces and ravines. A variety of wildlife shares the land with the meditators. The surrounding countryside is mostly agricultural, but a number of small towns and the city of Barrie are nearby.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Ontario Vipassana Centre -- Dhamma Torana
6486 Simcoe County Road 56
Egbert, Ontario, L0L 1N0, Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [1](705) 434-9850
Fax: [1](866) 691-5214 (Toll-Free in North America)
Course Registration Notes:
- Course Registration opening dates are tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the latest opening dates.
- Courses open for applications at approximately 6:00 a.m. EDT. If you do not see the 'Apply' Link at 6:00 am, close your browser and re-open the page.
- Courses may be cancelled or curtailed on short notice.
- All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day, continue for ten full days and end on the early morning of the last day.
- Please apply for no more than two 10-day courses at a time. If you are accepted into one course, your other one will be automatically cancelled.
- Please check your spam inbox if you have not received any correspondence from us after you have applied.
- Please include any information regarding serious food allergies or special mealtime considerations in your application so that volunteers can be prepared to serve you properly while you are on course.
- For details on type of accomodations, please visit Accommodations Gallery page.
To ensure the health and safety of everyone, please arrive at the Centre in good health.
We continue to be vigilant for the development of respiratory infectious diseases. If necessary, in case of symptoms, participants will be asked to wear a mask and self-administer the RAT.
Course Registration Notes:
- One-day Teens' courses are for ages 13-17
- One-day Children's courses are for ages 8-12
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep | Children | Applications accepted starting 13 Jul | Egbert |
If you want to serve both the days, you can send one application and make a note that 'You would be serving both the days'. |
|
| 14 Sep | Teen | Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Egbert |
If you want to serve both the days, you can send one application and make a note that 'You would be serving both the days'. |
Course Registration Notes:
- Course Registration opening dates are tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the latest opening dates.
- Courses open for applications at approximately 6:00 a.m. EDT. If you do not see the 'Apply' Link at 6:00 am, close your browser and re-open the page.
- Courses may be cancelled or curtailed on short notice.
- All ten-day courses begin on the evening of the first day, continue for ten full days and end on the early morning of the last day.
- Please apply for no more than two 10-day courses at a time. If you are accepted into one course, your other one will be automatically cancelled.
- Please check your spam inbox if you have not received any correspondence from us after you have applied.
- Please include any information regarding serious food allergies or special mealtime considerations in your application so that volunteers can be prepared to serve you properly while you are on course.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 18 May - 21 May |
Service Period |
In Progress | Egbert |
For old students Service Periods fall between courses. They begin on the day one course ends and finish on the day a new course starts. Service includes cleaning the Dhamma Hall and residences, grounds work, cooking and various maintenance tasks. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon service periods. On selected evenings there may be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S. N. Goenka has given to old students. |
| Apply | 21 May - 01 Jun | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Filling Up Male Server - Short Wait List | Egbert | |
| Apply | 01 Jun | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students |
| Apply | 01 Jun - 04 Jun |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 04 Jun - 15 Jun | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Egbert | |
| Apply | 15 Jun - 18 Jun |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 18 Jun - 29 Jun | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Egbert | |
| Apply | 29 Jun - 02 Jul |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 02 Jul - 06 Jul | 3-Day | Women - Closed New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Open | Egbert |
For old students |
| 06 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Jun | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| Apply | 06 Jul - 09 Jul |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 09 Jul - 20 Jul | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Wait List | Egbert | |
| Apply | 20 Jul - 23 Jul |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 23 Jul - 03 Aug |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Egbert |
Priority is given to Vietnamese-speaking students & servers. |
| 03 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Jul | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| Apply | 03 Aug - 06 Aug |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| Apply | 06 Aug - 17 Aug | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Egbert | |
| Apply | 17 Aug - 20 Aug |
Service Period |
Servers - Open | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
| 20 Aug - 31 Aug |
10-Day
English / Burmese |
Applications accepted starting 22 May | Egbert |
Teacher will speak English and Burmese. Priority will be given to Burmese speaking students and servers. |
|
| 23 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 May | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 31 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Aug | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 31 Aug - 03 Sep |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 02 Jun | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 03 Sep - 12 Sep | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 05 Jun | Egbert |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements (Sitting) Satipatthana Sutta Requirements To benefit from this Satipatthana Sutta course, it is advised that from the day of registration onwards: |
|
| 14 Sep - 16 Sep |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 16 Jun | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 16 Sep - 27 Sep |
10-Day
Hindi / English |
Applications accepted starting 18 Jun | Egbert |
Teachers will speak both Hindi and English. Priority will be given to Hindi speaking students and servers. |
|
| 27 Sep - 01 Oct |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 29 Jun | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 28 Sep |
Open House |
Closed | Egbert |
Ontario Vipassana Centre is hosting an Open House event. Event Details: TBD |
|
| 01 Oct - 12 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Jul | Egbert | ||
| 12 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 11 Sep | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 12 Oct - 16 Oct |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 16 Oct - 16 Nov | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Jul | Egbert |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| 16 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Oct | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 16 Nov - 19 Nov |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 18 Aug | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 19 Nov - 30 Nov |
10-Day
English / Mandarin |
Applications accepted starting 21 Aug | Egbert |
Teachers will speak English and Mandarin. Priority will be given to Mandarin and Cantonese speaking students and servers. |
|
| 30 Nov - 03 Dec |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 01 Sep | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 03 Dec - 14 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Sep | Egbert | ||
| 14 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 14 Nov | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 14 Dec - 17 Dec |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 15 Sep | Egbert |
For old students Help set up the next course. Part-Time welcome. |
|
| 17 Dec - 21 Dec | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Sep | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 21 Dec - 24 Dec |
Service Period |
Applications accepted starting 22 Sep | Egbert |
For old students |
|
| 24 December, 2025 - 04 January, 2026 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 Sep | Egbert |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | 24 May | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | GTA East (Scarborough) |
New Course!!For old students One day course in Scarborough |
| Apply | 24 May | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kitchener |
For old students |
| Apply | 07 Jun | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students |
| Apply | 14 Jun | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Peterborough |
For old students One day course in Peterborough |
| 21 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 22 May | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students One day course in Scarborough |
|
| 21 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 22 May | Kitchener |
For old students |
|
| 22 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 May | Hamilton |
For old students |
|
| 19 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 19 Jun | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students One day course in Scarborough |
|
| 19 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 19 Jun | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students |
|
| 26 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Jun | Kitchener |
For old students |
|
| 03 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Jul | Hamilton |
For old students |
|
| 16 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Jul | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students |
|
| 14 Sep | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Aug | Hamilton |
For old students |
|
| 20 Sep | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Aug | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students One day course in Scarborough |
|
| 27 Sep | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Aug | Kitchener |
For old students |
|
| 11 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 11 Sep | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students |
|
| 18 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Sep | Peterborough |
For old students One day course in Peterborough |
|
| 25 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 25 Sep | Kitchener |
For old students |
|
| 26 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Sep | Hamilton |
For old students |
|
| 15 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Oct | GTA East (Scarborough) |
For old students One day course in Scarborough |
|
| 15 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Oct | GTA West (Milton) |
For old students |
|
| 22 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Oct | Kitchener |
For old students |
|
| 07 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 Nov | Hamilton |
For old students |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://torana.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.
Open Days are held between meditation courses. All are welcome to attend and learn about Vipassana Meditation and the Centre.
Children's Courses are open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Service Periods fall between courses. They begin on the day one course ends and finish on the day a new course starts. Service includes cleaning the Dhamma Hall and residences, grounds work, cooking and various maintenance tasks. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon service periods. On selected evenings there may be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S. N. Goenka has given to old students.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Work Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to apply. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
30-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of six 10-day courses (one since their first 20-day course), one 20-day course, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
Applications must be submitted well in advance as processing may take some time. Students who speak neither English nor one of the other announced course languages may apply for the course, however acceptance into the course will depend on the availability of required course materials, suitable translators and permission of the teacher conducting the course.
